In a remarkable turn of events, torrential rains in Brazil have inadvertently revealed what might be the world’s oldest known dinosaur fossil. The nearly complete skeleton, uncovered in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, as per experts, could date back to 233 million years, to the Triassic period when dinosaurs first emerged.
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For travellers with an interest in palaeontology and natural history, this discovery opens up exciting opportunities to explore Brazil’s rich geological and fossil heritage. If reports are to go by, the fossil was unearthed next to a reservoir, where heavy rainfall had eroded part of a known fossil site. This unexpected event highlights the region’s potential for significant archaeological finds.
Rio Grande do Sul, where the fossil was found, is known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. With this discovery, it will likely become a hotspot for dinosaur enthusiasts.
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The continents once formed a single landmass known as Pangea. This supercontinent existed during the Triassic period, which spanned 50.5 million years and marked the emergence of dinosaurs. Researchers believe the newly discovered fossil belongs to a member of the Herrerasauridae family of carnivorous dinosaurs, which grew to about 2.5 m in length and walked on two legs.
Rodrigo Müller added, “It’s among the oldest in the world, and that it’s already important because of the role it’s likely to play in helping us understand the origin of the dinosaurs.”
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Reports further add that palaeontologists are now racing against time to excavate the remaining fossils before they are destroyed by further rainfall. Unfortunately, some bones, including a leg bone and a pelvis bone, have already been lost to the floods.
Currently, the oldest conclusively dated dinosaur fossils are from about 231 million years ago, though some disputed finds suggest a timeline extending back to 240 million years. If the new findings are confirmed, they could provide valuable insights into the origins of dinosaurs.
The discovery is particularly significant because it sheds light on the early Triassic period, which followed the Permian extinction event that wiped out about 90 percent of Earth’s species. The fossil belongs to the Herrerasauridae family, a group of two-legged carnivorous dinosaurs that roamed what is now Brazil and Argentina.
As researchers continue their work, the race to preserve these ancient remains is crucial, given the challenging weather conditions in the region. The hope is to recover and study the remaining fossils before further damage occurs, adding invaluable knowledge to our understanding of prehistoric life.
